Latest bunny obsession: the laser printer. Our printer lives in the closet on the floor. Bunnies are not allowed in the closet. The closet is full of stuff (boxes, extra paper, bunny litter, spare NIC parts, carpet squares), but nothing in there requires conquering like the printer. When you open the closet door, Chewie comes running from wherever he is and tries valiantly to get in the closet. It inevitably happens that sometimes he is successful, as he is fast and much shorter than me. Once in the closet, he burrows among the items to arrive beside the printer, only to jump up on top of it and look around. After climbing the printer “mountain”, the printer is vanquished and he turns to other important bunny matters, like napping and dinner.

Frosty wandered his way into our rescue in December 2008 after being turned loose outside. He was a young, cheerful guy who loved racing around and chewing up cardboard boxes at record speed. Through no fault of his own, Frosty proved to be very unlucky in his adoption efforts, being returned from his “forever” homes several times. He was always in great demand at Easter due to his resemblance to the Cadbury bunny, but we always kept him close to home then. In his three years in rescue he was in several foster homes and even fostered at a vet’s office, all in an effort to find him a good home where he would get lots of exercise time. This process honed Frosty into a very determined little boy – he knew who and what he liked, and was holding out for what worked best for him. If you were in his good graces, you got lots of affection from him, but if not, you got a nip, or his back turned to you.

In the fall of 2011 we were contacted by a family who had been following Frosty on the website for a while and had become quite attached to him and touched by his story. They had two rabbits they were trying to bond, but really wanted to meet Frosty. They made Frosty part of their family in January 2012, and even though all three bunnies are still living separately, they happily coexist and Frosty finally has the happy home he has been waiting three long years for. We couldn’t be happier for him. Here is a picture of Frosty hanging out in his new playroom:

]]>111@http://rabbit.org/blog/pivot/defaultThu, 29 Mar 2012 08:41:00 -0700Easter is Cominghttp://www.rabbit.org/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=110
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Spring is just around the corner, and Easter will be here soon. Help us spread the word that rabbits are companions for life, not toys for Easter.

]]>110@http://rabbit.org/blog/pivot/defaultMon, 19 Mar 2012 13:19:00 -0700Saving Nine Liveshttp://www.rabbit.org/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=109
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"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make."
Jane Goodall

Meet Willow. She was turned in to Animal Control and taken in by our local HRS. Little did anyone know she was not only homeless, but pregnant. Only a few days after arriving in rescue last Spring she gave birth to eight (yes, eight) healthy babies. We met her one Saturday in July, hoping to find a companion for our rabbit. She seemed easy-going, and a bit shy. This only goes to show that looks can be deceiving. At first she wasn't sure of us, but she has slowly bloomed. Her favorite game is chase, and she will absolutely wear you out. No need for the gym. She does huge binkies and twists, and makes us laugh so hard. She is very smart, and when she looks at me I often feel like she is just waiting on me to catch up with her. Her adoration can be bought with pumpkin bunny cookies. I can't see how anyone would want to give her up. What about those babies, you ask? They were all adopted into homes of their own. And so I say to my friend who rescued her - thank you for making a difference, for her, for all her babies, and for us.

About two years ago, I noticed a sign at the health club where I swim. It read “Free rabbit, cage extra for $30. Please, we don’t want him anymore.” Somehow I could not resist calling the woman up and inquiring what the situation was. As the phone rang, I braced myself, since I never know what they will say or who it was.
“My daughter went off to college last year and we no longer want the rabbit.”
I asked her why she did not just keep it as a pet, trying to convince her that they really make nice pets. Perhaps the daughter would enjoy seeing “Cornelius” when she came home for breaks.
“Nope, no can do. Do you want it or not?’
I begged her to take care of it for a few more days and to not even think of letting it go. She agreed to do that. Of course, the next day I called her back. It took another week of “phone tag” and several miscommunications to finally get her to tell me when to come over.
It was a hot May afternoon, when I drove into a gated community that was several miles from my house. After several wrong turns, I finally found her townhouse. It was in a nice neighborhood with Mercedes and BMWs in many driveways. Children were playing in the yards nearby and a dog barked as I approached the door. I had been told that the rabbit was on the front porch. Sure enough, there was a small cage on wheels, filled with cedar chips and an adorable black and white mixed Dutch rabbit.
The heat was overwhelming but luckily the little fellow did not look too stressed out. He had a water bottle and pellets and the bedding looked fairly clean. A teenage girl answered the door. Her attitude was, as I can only describe it, like that of a “valley girl.” She had a cell phone glued to one ear while a small dog yapped noisily from behind her.
“You must be the rabbit lady. Like, there’s the rabbit and the cage.” She pointed casually to the small cage as I noticed her black fingernail polish.
“I am not taking the cage,” I became somewhat irritated at the girl. “But I brought a carrier. How long have you had him?”
She barked into her phone, “Hold,” and stared back at me for a minute. “A few years, we had another one, but he died. Is that all?”
It was obvious that she had no intention of talking to me and just wanted me to leave. I thanked her quietly (I don’t know why) as she shut the door in my face. Sighing, I pulled the little fellow out of the cage and placed him in the carrier. As I drove off, I mumbled to myself, “So, the dog stays in the AC but the rabbit sits out on the hot porch.”
I renamed the rabbit Charlie. We had a real estate agent friend by that name that I had talked to that morning. Somehow the jovial, friendly personality of Charlie the realtor just matched that of the former Cornelius now Charlie the rabbit.
Charlie turned out to be a gem. His fur was quite matted around his bottom with dried urine. He was also underweight. It took me a good week to comb out every knot of fur but soon his beautiful coat of black and white was sleek and smooth. He gobbled down every blade of hay, pellet and leafy green that I placed in front of him, almost non-stop for the first couple of days.
Since I was hoping to have him adopted after his neutering, I put a large sign on his pen telling my husband Oren that Charlie was “Only Temporary.” Oren would then come home every day and ask if we still had “OT” in the guest room.
Needless to say, I watched Oren get just as attached to Charlie as I was. Charlie was a binky master. He would race up and down the bathroom and leap high into the air. Then he would crouch down and insist on being petted. Rabbits can’t talk, but they sure can communicate with us in other ways. I think he was so happy to have his new home that he was trying to tell us this. I knew in my heart that I could not give him away.
And so, two years later, Charlie is still with us and by no means “only temporary.”

Happy New Year! We hope you’re off to a great start! It’s that time again when people make their New Year’s Resolutions. This year, why not make a resolution that will be good for you and for bunnies? Here are some ideas for 2012:

Give some time to shelter or rescue bunnies in your community. Maybe you can bring them some vegetables, drop off some toys, help exercise and socialize the bunnies, put up some flyers for adoption days, write for their newsletter, or run an errand for the shelter picking up food or hay. There are lots of ways to give, and all would be appreciated.

Make a step or two towards going cruelty-free. How about replacing the cleaners you use in your home with one not tested on animals?

Get prepared for an emergency. Put an emergency sticker for your door or window so emergency personnel know there are rabbits that need rescue. If you live in an area where you might be evacuated, know what the route is and have a plan for your rabbits. Put your vet’s number in your phone or wallet. Check your rabbit first aid kit and replace any expired supplies. Make sure you have bottled water in your pantry for you and your bunnies.

Learn how to report cruelty or neglect. Look up the number of your local humane law enforcement agency, SPCA, or shelter and put it where you can find it.

Do a bunny safe home check-up. Look over your rabbit-proofing. Do any of your cord covers have teeth marks? It might be time to replace them. Are the new decorations or plants you got as gifts out of bunny’s reach?

Promote spaying and neutering. Many people don’t know the benefits of spaying and neutering for rabbits. Help combat rabbit overpopulation and keep buns out of shelters by spreading the word.

Learn something new! Do you have a bunny who loves to jump, or who seems a little too smart for his or her own good? Give clicker training a try!

Donate your services. Are you an artist, a legal professional, a web designer, a construction or home-improvement professional? Could your local rescue use an item for a raffle or auction, some legal advice, a new website, some shelves for their supplies? Offer your expertise in whatever your field.

Here’s the easiest one - do something special for your buns. Try out that treat recipe, make up some new toys, play a game, and take time to give those extra rubs. The year goes by fast! Take time to appreciate your buns for who they are. ]]>106@http://rabbit.org/blog/pivot/defaultSat, 07 Jan 2012 19:18:00 -0700Happy Holidays to EveryBunny!http://www.rabbit.org/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=105
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The Holidays are here! We wish you and your bunnies a joyous holiday season filled with binkies, herbs, carrots, and flops!

Join the MD/DC/NoVA House Rabbit Society for a special holiday showing of the new family-friendly film “The Christmas Bunny” (PG-suitable for 8 years+)
When: December 10, 2011 at 10 AM
Where: the Rotunda Cinemas, 711 W. 40th St., Baltimore, MD 21211
How much: $8 for adults and $6 for children under 12

]]>103@http://rabbit.org/blog/pivot/defaultWed, 07 Dec 2011 11:59:00 -0700GHRS Holiday Party!http://www.rabbit.org/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=102
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HO HO HO, the Georgia House Rabbit Society’s ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY is near! So save the date and tell your buns because this party isn’t just for you, it’s for rabbits too!

DOOR PRIZES…..HORS’DEVOURS…..MOVIE SCREENING…..SANTA…..AND MORE!
This year’s celebration will be Saturday, December 10, from 2PM – 6 PM at the Sandy Springs Christian Church in Sandy Springs. As with most every GHRS event, our holiday party has something fun for everyone and every bun! Being a fun and free event for GHRS members, there is every reason to bring the whole family along. Not a member? Not to worry as admission for the general public is only $5 per person or $15 per family! We’ll have pens set up for the bunnies so you can feel safe about bringing them along for the festivities and for pictures with Santa! ]]>102@http://rabbit.org/blog/pivot/defaultWed, 07 Dec 2011 11:55:00 -0700Rabbit Center Holiday Partyhttp://www.rabbit.org/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=101
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Drop by the HRS Rabbit Center on December 11 for cakes and cookies, a “buntini” (that’s our own signature cocktail!), our holiday gift bazaar, and loads of good cheer! Bring your buns for a wonderful holiday portrait by Ken Mark (RSVP to reserve your space)! The party goes from noon to 5. We look forward to seeing you there!

]]>101@http://rabbit.org/blog/pivot/defaultWed, 07 Dec 2011 11:53:00 -0700Adopt Flat Bonnie!http://www.rabbit.org/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=100
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If you adopt Flat Bonnie during the month of December, a portion of your purchase will be donated to rabbit rescue!

]]>100@http://rabbit.org/blog/pivot/defaultFri, 02 Dec 2011 08:25:00 -0700Lighting a Candlehttp://www.rabbit.org/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=99
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We all love our bunnies dearly and, though we try not to think about it too much, there comes the day when we must say goodbye to our friend. Losing a pet is a difficult thing. Our bunnies are full of personality and, no matter if they are friendly or shy, big or small, adventurous or timid, losing them leaves a big hole in our lives and in our heart. In 2006, when we lost our first bunny, we came across the Monday Candle Ceremony. I thought, on this Monday, it would be a lovely thing to share. ]]>99@http://rabbit.org/blog/pivot/defaultMon, 03 Oct 2011 06:24:00 -0700A Sense of Humorhttp://www.rabbit.org/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=98
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Any rabbit person will tell you that rabbits have a sense of humor. Now that Chewie has been living with us for almost five months, his sense of humor is definitely coming through. For starters, we were under the mistaken impression that we would have some bunny rules. First rule: couches are for people; ottomans with washable throws on them are for fuzzy, shedding bunnies that are learning to use a litter box. This, of course, has gone down the drain. I was undone by the couch binkies. Chewie insisted that the couch was for bunnies by leaping up there and then doing binkies back and forth across the cushions. It turned out that whole notion of putting the bunny back on the floor was just a fun game. He made me laugh so hard doing this that now there is a throw on my couch for fuzzy, shedding bunnies, and I’ll confess that some evenings he sits on the couch and I sit on the floor. Who needs rules anyway?